West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-03-17
MY SPEECH

two winters spent in the cold seclusion
ot those Colorado Mountains. we gave
up our silver mine and abandoned the
claim. was quite ready 10 return. Two
years away from a razor, two years OF
bacon, beans, syrup and canned corn
TWO years of struggle with sour dough
TWO years spent at an altitude where il
takes six hours boiling TO cook potatoes
fastening phenomenon TO every tender
loot( cured my mining fever for cvermorc.
joined that great procession which
the railroads never advertise the dis.
gusted ones returning East or West from
those silver lodes with twisted back bones
and empty pockets.
Home again | learned. TO nv amaze.
ment, that Cousin Brooks. one of tb,
most stupid boys that ever raped owe,
his books, had just become Governor of
the State
When / went West to find an opening
Tor my money, Brooks was q sedate, hard.
NorElng lawyer. l never supposed he
would earn his salt.
After becoming tolcrably we'll ac-
qualnted with mother again, and the
boys, and making brief vain quest fur
employment, | took a run up to the capi-
tol one day to see Brooks. lie greeted
me cordially He always did like me. |
suppose because | used TO help him ont
in his lessons between thrashinps. al
though upon leaving school bore re-
morseiul feeling that had been unmcr-
ciful to poor Brooks.
He was in his official apartment nj tbc
state room, a lofty room with frescoed
ceiling, huge plate windows. elaborate
furniture, library, and elegant writing
desks He was sequcstercd bv ante
rooms and guarded by ushers, but went
straight through to his presence without
check, while the clerks stared in sur
prise. This was because / so rcsembled
Brooks that | came upon them like an an
partition, for he and ! were of similar
form behind the same ancestral nose.
Greeting over:
And how are the mines, Chugl'
They arc still there"
You have made your fortune West l
hoper
mo. The West did pretty well. I
didn't The West kept all / took there -
He looked at me doubtfullv. Brooks
never quite understood my way of talk
ing. Yet l speak clear classic English.
always
"You haven't lost every cent. Chup2"
ION no. If can sell my mine for a
hundred thousand am all right
rs Is good for anythingi"
Not that / know Of"
Hum" Brooks was fine LOOKING
fellow, large, portly, bcnignant. A kind
hearted man, somewhat changed since /
saw him last. Hc had aged greatly. far
more than !, Notwithstanding all the
ylcissitudes and bacon / had undergone.
He seemed more serious. moro fatberlv
and appeared tired He looked AT me
with something Of the old appeal in his
face
stay here and help me, Chug I had
to discharge my secretary yesterday. He
was schemer, moro anxious to pain out
side friends than to do his duty bv me.
l want somebody who is reliable Ii paws
two thousand a year. Probably I can
put some perquisitcs in your way also"
As kindness to Brooks ] consented.
lie led me over to q handsome wor,
desk charged with innumerablc pigeon
holes, rolls OF red tape seal stamp. wax.
and other vital elements of government.
J. pile Of letters and documents already
burdened the slope.
sat down before half rcam Of
selected mail, my brief instructions being
Tor this heap "Sav no TO every want. but
make friend of every writer" This
mountainous task strained my carly sab
bath school training severely Ih1<evcr.
| evolved general letter applicable 10
most Of these cases and submitted IL fo
Brooks He was good enough to praise
rr Nstr. ft. q
and / proceed to duplicate the form and
scatter No broadcast
An hour latter Harold, our clerk, op-
pearcd at the door
Here is the prison delegation"
Brooks put down his documents and
straightened mp with great concern
Let me see, what do they wauY Chng
there isamemorandum ON your desk come.
where.
searched and found the appointment
Slip
Tues, ~ a. ~. Cedar County delegation 10
urge amehorution of couvicts
Brooks ram his hand through his hair.
why do they bother me now Whv
can't they torture those fellows in the
Legislature and after they yet in their
bill come and ask of my APPROVAL WHY
consume my time for Uu object -0 remote
What shall ] do with m Chugt have
more work here already thlu ] cam finish
iu good season
Do exclaimed rising cucroctica.lv
and feeling something of the old sc0ru
for him, why. man. lct cm iu. SAY.
Fellow citizens. ! am proud t0moct you.
glad 20 see the cause of our criminals en-
listing the ympathv of such advocates
and anything can d0to further thc GOOD
work. Doe assured ] shalt rejoice to do
At the same time an government moves
by routine. and ] must commend YOU t0
ihc usual procedure Secure Legislative
action affecting the ends you aim at. and
as ] feel sure tho object viii be iustifabIc.
] shall take pleasure boz signing your biI. b
lhate all Remain standing and let
Them stand Fid4ctf08ud frD from YOUR
desk let them know you are in % hurry.
although courteous, and get rid Of 'cm
quick
"Ccdar comfy unused Brooks I
don't know anybody up here likely TO be
in this delegation Chug you look a good
deal like me You may receive these
peplo and act as Governor"
No thank youW aidI boiling tony
desk and catching up my pen
'HalloF cried Brooks with slow s0r-
casm, you can brag but not perform,
ehT
rhp blunt reply s.upg me II wss